Shopping with experts: Wallis’s 1923 coat collection

70s Cape, everyone’s favourite at £90

Do you remember we were talking about Wallis being a place EVERYONE used to go to for their coats? Back in the days when clothes shops were scarce and Chelsea Girl ruled the world in terms of fast fashion.

Well turns out that the brand, which has been in business since 1923, has cherry picked a small, five piece collection of heritage coats from its vast archive to bring back to life. Called the1923 range, it features a pintuck 1938 crepe wool style, a 1948 bow back skirted version in bold red, a 1958 winter white number which is cocoon shaped and collarless and a 1965 princess coat which looks very wearable. Our favourite is the 1972 camel coloured cape coat, which is very on trend in all sorts of ways, colour, shape, the 70s……

We asked head of design Clive Reeve (yes we’re sooo well connected here at TWR) a couple of questions on coats for you….

Clive, what are the key things to look for when buying a coat, do you think?

“The key things are fit, find a shape that flatters your figure. Quality is also key. Italian fabrics have a more luxurious hand-feel and remember, a really good coat should be tran-seasonal and reflect your style.”

Many of our readers are over 35, which of the five styles from the 1923 range would you recommend?

“My personal favourite’s the camel cape, it’s classy but on trend, team with the new seventies trouser silhouette and instantly lengthen your legs! The other is the red coat which dates from 1948, it’s full skirt accentuates the waist & highlights the lower leg, team with a heel for a very feminine silhouette.

Recently Jane Birkin told us that she kept warm by putting sheepskin in her shoes, from your years of experience in design, do you have any tips on how to dress warm and stylishly?

“Sheepskin! Jane Birkin as always bang on trend! Don’t loose any heat from head & hands, so hot accessories such as gloves and this season’s must-have fur deer stalker will keep you warm !”